Grammar: 🔄 Review & Consolidation (B2) - Writing Task: Argumentative or Discursive Essay

🔄 B2 Writing Task: The Argumentative or Discursive Essay

Welcome to your final B2 consolidation task! This is your opportunity to combine all the advanced grammar, vocabulary, and writing mechanics you have learned into a single piece of writing. You will write a short, structured essay, choosing between two common academic styles.

Understanding the Essay Types

• An Argumentative Essay¹ tries to persuade² the reader to agree with your strong point of view. You take one side and defend it.
• A Discursive Essay³ is more balanced. You discuss both sides of an issue before giving your own, more considered opinion at the end.

Choose Your Essay Prompt

Select ONE of the following topics for your essay:

Prompt 1 (Argumentative/Discursive): "Modern technology, such as smartphones and social media, has made people less sociable, not more." To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Prompt 2 (Mainly Discursive): Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of tourism for a developing country like Cambodia.

Prompt 3 (Mainly Argumentative): "Governments should heavily tax unhealthy products like sugary drinks and junk food to improve public health." Do you agree or disagree?

Recommended B2 Essay Structure (4 Paragraphs)

1. Introduction: Start with a general statement (a hook). Then, present your thesis statement, which clearly states your main argument or what the essay will discuss.
2. Body Paragraph 1: Start with a topic sentence for your first main point. Support it with explanations and examples.
3. Body Paragraph 2: Start with a topic sentence for your second main point (or, for a discursive essay, discuss the opposing view). Support it with explanations and examples.
4. Conclusion: Restate your thesis in a new way, summarize your main points, and give a final concluding thought or prediction. Do not add new ideas.

B2 Grammar & Style Checklist

As you write, try to demonstrate your advanced skills. Can you include:

• An advanced conditional (e.g., 2nd, 3rd, or Mixed)?
• A participle clause to connect ideas (e.g., "Feeling concerned,...")?
• An advanced linking word (e.g., however, furthermore, consequently)?
• The passive voice for a formal tone (e.g., "It is argued that...")?
• Precise vocabulary with correct connotation?
• Advanced punctuation like a semicolon or a dash?

🧠 Pre-Writing Plan

Before you write, planning is essential. Quickly answer these questions for yourself.

1. Which prompt have you chosen?
2. What is your thesis statement? (Your main argument).
3. What will be the topic sentence for your first body paragraph?
4. What will be the topic sentence for your second body paragraph?

📝 Your Final Task: Write the Essay

Now, write your essay (approximately 150-200 words). Use your plan and the B2 Grammar & Style Checklist to guide you. Focus on creating a clear, logical, and sophisticated response. Good luck!

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Vocabulary Glossary

1. Argumentative Essay: (Noun Phrase) - សំណេរ​បែប​វែកញែក (sâm'nae baep vek'ñiek) - An essay that presents arguments about both sides of an issue, but takes a strong position on one side. ↩
2. Persuade: (Verb) - បញ្ចុះបញ្ចូល (bânh'choh'bânh'chaol) - To cause someone to do or believe something through reasoning or argument. ↩
3. Discursive Essay: (Noun Phrase) - សំណេរ​បែប​ពិភាក្សា (sâm'nae baep pĭ'phéak'saa) - An essay that explores a topic from different viewpoints in a balanced way before reaching a conclusion. ↩
4. Objective: (Adjective) - អព្យាក្រឹត (âp'pya'krət) - Not influenced by personal feelings or opinions; considering only facts. ↩
5. Refute: (Verb) - បដិសេធ (bâ'dĭ'saeth) - To prove a statement or theory to be wrong or false. ↩